Cobb County Noise Complaint, Bania Jammu Wrestler Height, Dayton, Ohio Crime Rate, Vic Reeves Wife Sarah Vincent, Articles F

Take the American slave-trade, which, we are told by the papers, is especially prosperous just now. Frederick Douglass, Fifth of July speech (1852) But, such is not the state of the case. be warned! I say it with a sad sense of disparity between us. Fellow-citizens! The eye of the reformer is met with angry flashes, portending disastrous times; but his heart may well beat lighter at the thought that America is young, and that she is still in the impressible stage of her existence. All Rights Reserved. And yet not one word shall escape me that any man whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice or who is not at heart, a slaveholder shall not confess to be right and just. They were not the men to look back. The Best Speech-to-Text Solution for Your Business Learn how Rev fits into your businesses workflow. Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was a social reformer and advocate, abolitionist, orator, writer, minister, and statesman. With little experience and with less learning, I have been able to throw my thoughts hastily and imperfectly together; and I doubt if there be another nation on the globe, having the brass and the baseness to put such a law on the statute-book. Cast one glance, if you please, upon that young mother, whose shoulders are bare to the scorching sun, her briny tears falling on the brow of the babe in her arms. The existence of slavery in this country brands your republicanism as a sham, your humanity as a base pretence, and your Christianity as a lie. Long established customs of hurtful character could formerly fence themselves in, and do their evil work with social impunity. We thank you for taking the time to watch this community reading of Frederick Douglasss What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? Source: Blight, David. My spirit wearies of such blasphemy; and how such men can be supported, as the standing types and representatives of Jesus Christ, is a mystery which I leave others to penetrate. Pride and patriotism, not less than gratitude, prompt you to celebrate and to hold it in perpetual remembrance. The country was poor in the munitions of war. There, the church, true to its mission of ameliorating, elevating, and improving the condition of mankind, came forward promptly, bound up the wounds of the West Indian slave, and restored him to his liberty. It is the birthday of your National Independence, and of your political freedom. This is a primary source reading analysis of Frederick Douglass' famous speech.